Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. “Passing a clean DHS funding bill is what should have happened all along,” DelBene said. “We shouldn’t be playing politics with this important issue. I’m glad we have avoided a shutdown that would harm workers and our national security.” DHS was excluded from the full-year “cromnibus” deal passed in December. Instead, the agency was funded only through Feb. 27, becaus...
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Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the LEADS Act today. The LEADS Act is a simple solution to the all too common and complicated problem of international data storage and governmental access. The legislation balances the critical needs of law enforcement, such as the issuance of warrants and subpoenas, with the importance of respecting privacy and personal information. This legislation also strengthens the framework of the Mutual Legal Assistance Tre...
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Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) called on House leaders to allow an up-or-down vote on legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. “While I’m disappointed we haven’t achieved full-funding yet, I’m glad we have avoided a shutdown that would harm workers and our national security,” DelBene said. “It’s my hope that next week, Congress will come together and pass a clean DHS funding bill that will put an end to this brinksmanship be...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) delivered the following remarks on the House of Representatives floor today, calling on House leadership to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. DelBene’s speech, as prepared for delivery, is below: “In my state of Washington, we’re very familiar with the vital role the Department of Homeland Security plays. “Nearly one year ago, in a matter of seconds, one square mile of land slid into the Stillaguamish River near Oso,...
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Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) leadership in keeping the Internet free and open. “I support the FCC’s efforts to protect a free and open Internet,” DelBene said. “This proposal prevents blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, which are positive, bipartisan goals.” Last year, DelBene was an original cosponsor of the Open Internet Preservation Act, which would have helped protect consumers and innovation online after the D....
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Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) yesterday introduced legislation that would prevent an estimated 1 million Americans from losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next year due to a policy oversight in the SNAP work requirement. The SNAP Work Opportunity Act (H.R. 1025) would ensure that residents in states that cannot find a job and are not offered a spot in a job training or workfare program will not lose their SNAP eligibi...
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Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) heard from the Port of Bellingham about how a lack of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would affect airport staff, such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. If Congress doesn’t act by February 27, nearly 50,000 TSA workers and more than 40,000 CBP agents across the country will have to work without pay. “If funding for DHS is delayed, it will have a grave effect o...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today condemned the vandalism of a Hindu temple in Bothell. Local news reported that the police found spray-painted swastikas at the Hindu Temple Cultural Center and Skyview Junior High School on Sunday. Police are investigating the incident. “I’m saddened by these acts of vandalism,” DelBene said. “These offensive and hateful messages don’t reflect the inclusive values of the First District and Bothell community.” # # #
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) cosponsored with Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) a bill that helps working women and their families. The Healthy Families Act (H.R. 932) allows workers in businesses with more than 15 employees to earn up to seven paid sick days a year to recover from short-term illness, care for a sick family member, seek routine medical care or seek assistance related to domestic violence. The bill also allows sick time to be used to attend ...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced legislation today to reauthorize and expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) veterans in its membership and scope. “As a nation, we have a responsibility to serve and support all of our veterans as well as they bravely served us,” DelBene said. “With the veteran population becoming more diverse, it is more important than ever that we give LGBT vetera...
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